The latest census by China's State Forestry Administration shows the panda population has grown by 268 to a total of 1,864 since the last survey ending in 2003.

Nearly three quarters of the pandas live in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The remaining pandas have been found in the neighboring Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.

"The rise in the population of wild giant pandas is a victory for conservation and definitely one to celebrate," said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation for World Wildlife Fund.

Hemley credited efforts by the Chinese government for the increase. The survey shows 1,246 wild giant pandas live within nature reserves. There are 67 panda reserves in China, an increase of 27 since the last survey.

"The survey result demonstrates the effectiveness of nature reserves in boosting wild giant panda numbers," said Xiaohai Liu, executive program director for WWF-China.

But the survey also points to economic development as a main threat to the rare animal. It says 319 hydropower stations and 832 miles of roads have been built in the giant panda's habitat.

WWF said it is the first time that large-scale infrastructure projects such as mining and railroads get referenced in the survey. Traditional threats such as poaching are on the decline, WWF noted.

China began surveying its giant pandas in the 1970s. The latest census began in 2011 and took three years to complete.

The number of giant pandas in captivity grew by 211, more than double the previous survey figure, according to the census.

Critical thinking challenge: Why is it important for China to count its pandas?

Pandas are so cute ! I think that pandas are cute animals and should be left alone , it's a good thing that they are celebrating that there's more pandas this is amazing .

BenB10

3/05/2015 - 02:24 p.m.

Another example of endangered protection working. Since 2003 the giant panda population has grown 268 putting the total population to 1,864 total giant pandas. To protect these pandas though about 1,264 live in nature reserves. The main danger for animals is hydro power. In the future will these stations become safer for animals, or will they continue to endanger more animals.

tylerha-And

3/05/2015 - 03:45 p.m.

The reason that it is important for China to count Pandas is because pandas are china's national animal and they are going extinct so it is good to know that some animals are still alive.

NickB-2

3/05/2015 - 06:59 p.m.

This article is about gantry pandas. In china, giant pandas went almost extinct. But due to efforts over the Las couple of decades, Giant Panda population has hectupled. They are almost all in one province, and its neighbors. I am glad that Pandas are doing so well.

JacobM-5

3/05/2015 - 08:19 p.m.

In this article a species of pandas or Giant pandas are surveyed. They have surveyed the small amount of giant pandas since the 1970's in China. The most recent survey shows a huge growth of 211 new giant pandas. But they found a problem. The found pipes in the habitats of the pandas which is a concern because it is a possible bad thing that could make the pandas unwelcome.

valorgosch

3/05/2015 - 11:26 p.m.

The Chinese giant panda population has gone up since the last population census in 2003. The WWF is celebrating this victory however their is still a long road ahead for the pandas to continue to live in this world and certain economic progressions threatens the panda.

KaelanB-Ver

3/06/2015 - 09:09 a.m.

I think its awesome that the pandas are starting to multiply because there super cool creatures and they deserve to live just as much as we do. I'm hoping that the population one day will be triple what it is now. And so we don't have to worry about the pandas becoming gone forever because they are too cute!

SamM-Ver

3/06/2015 - 09:11 a.m.

It is important to count the pandas in China to see how much are left! Pandas were endangered and they probably will be for a while! It's great that more are born! I think we need to help Pandas and not kill them.

GarrttR-Ver

3/06/2015 - 09:11 a.m.

The Panda population has grown in a very long time, 12 years to be exact. The thing is panda's can get really aggressive, but can also be playful. So the panda is one of the dangerous animals, but it won't hurt if you treat it nicely. So the panda population grows and is an effort to rise the population, and not to have panda's go extinct.

AntonioR-Ver

3/06/2015 - 09:12 a.m.

What China is doing to protecting these animals are very effective. Protecting these pandas make them less endangered and make them much easier to see them.